Scientific Name: Cynara cardunculus
QUESTION
Social
1. Restrict human access?
2. Reduce tourism?
Common name: Artichoke thistle
COMMENTS
Generally associated with agriculture, C. cardunculus does invade native grasslands and grassy woodlands, and
riparian vegetation. Large populations can develop in disturbed areas, and with the tall growth habit (to 2 m) and
spines on the leaves, the plant would present a high level of nuisance to humans.
The obvious presence of the weed, dense growth and prickly nature would affect recreational activities, and no
doubt lead to visitor complaints.
REFERENCE
Muyt (2001)
Carr et al (1992)
RANKING
MH
Muyt (2001)
H
3. Injurious to people?
The plant has spines for most of the year. “The plant is reported to cause contact dermatitis in some people.”
P & C (2001)
MH
4. Damage to cultural
sites?
“Wherever it occurs in the world, it becomes a very visible component of the flora.” In dense infestations it would
create a negative visual effect.
P & C (2001)
ML
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?
Terrestrial sp.
P & C (2001)
L
6. Impact water quality?
Terrestrial sp.
P & C (2001)
L
7. Increase soil erosion?
Large populations eliminate most indigenous flora and, after flowering in summer, the aerial parts of the plant
die off. However, the dense population would provide suitable soil stability resulting in little effect on large-scale soil
movement.
McLaren, D.1
pers. com
L
8. Reduce biomass?
In disturbed areas large populations can eliminate ground flora and seriously impede overstorey regeneration.
Invades native grasslands and grassy woodlands, and riparian vegetation. Invader replaces biomass.
Muyt (2001)
ML
9. Change fire regime?
Although the aerial parts of the plant die off in summer, the flowering stems remain standing for several months.
These are dry and woody and may contribute to an increase in the frequency of fire.
P & C (2001)
ML
EVC=Plains grassy woodland (E); CMA=Corangamite; Bioreg=Victorian Volcanic Plain; VH CLIMATE
potential. “...once established, it dominates the vegetation of an area. Large plants with their dense foliage shade
most pasture species as well as drawing moisture and nutrients from the soil.” Serious impact on grasses/forbs.
EVC=Herb-rich heathy woodland (E); CMA=Glenelg Hopkins; Bioreg=Dundas Tablelands. VH CLIMATE
potential. “...once established, it dominates the vegetation of an area. Large plants with their dense foliage shade
most pasture species as well as drawing moisture and nutrients from the soil.” Serious impact on species within
the lower stratum.
EVC=Heathy woodland (E); CMA=Port Phillip; Bioreg=Gippsland Plain; VH CLIMATE potential.
“...once established, it dominates the vegetation of an area. Large plants with their dense foliage shade
most
pasture species as well as drawing moisture and nutrients from the soil.” Serious impact on species within the
lower
stratum.
In
disturbed
areas large populations can eliminate ground flora and seriously impede overstorey regeneration.
Major effect lower storey, minor impact on mid and overstorey species.
P & C (2001)
MH
P & C (2001)
MH
P & C (2001)
MH
Muyt (2001)
MH
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition
(a)
high value EVC
(b)
medium value
EVC
(c) low value EVC
11. Impact on structure?
12. Effect on threatened
flora?
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Scientific Name: Cynara cardunculus
QUESTION
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened
fauna?
14. Effect on nonthreatened fauna?
Common name: Artichoke thistle
COMMENTS
In natural environments it is most likely to establish dense infestations in disturbed areas. It also tends to
colonise in medium to large populations. In those situations, the presence of the weed would have a significant
impact on the habitat of non-threatened fauna. Spiny nature of plant would deter grazing.
REFERENCE
RANKING
15. Benefits fauna?
“Small birds feed on the seeds.” Bird species not mentioned. Limited food source.
Carr et al (1992)
Muyt (2001)
P & C (2001)
P & C (2001)
16. Injurious to fauna?
The plant has spines for most of the year. Potential for injury.
P & C (2001)
H
“Small birds feed on the seeds.” Bird species not mentioned. Limited food source. Mice are known vectors for
seed dispersal.
P & C (2001)
ML
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?
18. Provides harbor?
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?
No evidence of plant providing harbor for pest animals.
ML
MH
L
In permanent pastures C. cardunculus can dominate the vegetation. “Its spiny nature deters sheep and cattle from
grazing on heavy infestations but, when hungry, animals will eat the leaves and survive on them.” “It has low
nutrient value and may cause stomach impaction and mechanical injuries.” Potential for high impact on yield.
No recorded impact on quality.
P & C (2001)
Dept. of Ag. WA2
21. Affect land value?
Heavily infested pasture requires mechanical and/or chemical control to re-establish desired pasture spp.
Presence of weed would have some minor influence on land value.
P & C (2001)
M
22. Change land use?
Control practices can be incorporated into existing pasture use. Change in land use would not be required.
P & C (2001)
L
23. Increase harvest costs?
In Western Australia, the weed has occurred in cropping situations where it, “...impedes harvesting.”
Dept. of Ag. WA
M
24. Disease host/vector?
None evident.
20. Impact quality?
H
L
L
McLaren, David Dr. Program Leader-Weeds of Agricultural Ecosystems, Keith Turnbull Research Institute. Personal communication 18/03/03
Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, nd., Agriculture Protection Program - Artichoke thistle, http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/agency/pubns/infonote/infonotes/aoo687.htm,
viewed 18/03/03
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